How Often Should You Replace Your Carpet?

How long have you been in your current home? Although many people think of bathrooms or kitchens as the first element to remodel, carpets are often a forgotten element. So how long do you think carpets are meant to last? Though some say between 5-15 years, it’s safe to say that ten years is the maximum amount of time before replacing your carpet. Beyond that, there are too many factors that can cause wear and tear. 

Let’s examine some of the most important factors involved in deciding whether it’s time to replace your carpet or not:

1) Aesthetics

Let’s start with what is arguably the most shallow factor: whether or not a carpet is still in style. If your living room is still sporting that golden orange or multi-colored 70s shag carpeting, it’s time for a new look. Moreover, if you plan to resell your home in the next few years, new flooring can really spruce up your main entryway or living area, and make an additional positive impact on selling your homeConsider new carpeting or mixing it up with a mix of new carpet and bare floors of cork, hardwood, or vinyl, throughout. 

2) Stains

If you’ve ever strategically moved a sofa to disguise a wine or oil stain on your carpet, it’s probably time to get it replaced. Even stain-resistant carpet treatment begins to fade eventually. Notable types of stains that tend to stick include oil-based stains like motor oil or salad dressing; tannin stains from drinks like wine or coffee, and dye stains from berries or hair dye.

3) Matting

There are probably areas of your carpet that get more foot traffic than others. Over time, the carpet pile in those areas are likely to stay matted down (especially if your carpet is made of polyester fibers). Matting is a difficult thing to reverse or disguise, unfortunately, even with professional carpet cleaning. This kind of heavy matting is usually a sign that your carpet is ready to be replaced.

4) Aroma

At times, older carpet can develop a kind of musty smell, simply due to its age and wear on it. . In some instances, , a foul smell can also indicate mold or mildew, which can aggravate allergies and even cause serious health problems. Other normal usage wear and tear, from foot traffic to pet dander, can start to build up, causing the carpet to develop a lingering odor that simply doesn’t go away, even after being professionally cleaned. At this point, it’s probably time to replace your carpet.

In conclusion, if you’ve lived with your carpet for a decade or more, it’s likely ready to be replaced. A new carpet goes beyond aesthetics and vanity: it can mean improved respiratory health and better quality of life, as well. 

Quest Interiors is ready and available to evaluate your current carpet, in case you’re ready to have it professionally removed and replaced. We can help you decide on a new carpet, remove your old one for you, and install your choice of new carpeting for a brand new look that will improve both your social life and your health, to boot. Give us a call today!